Black History Month 2023 at Trinity: Afro-Surrealism

Trinity’s Black History Month Society has organised a range of events and an exhibition exploring Afro-Surrealism this October.

‘The theme arose out of the negritude movement as a visual, literary and artistic movement deepening black consciousness amongst the diasporas,’ said Society member and Politics student Balqiis Ali.

Society member and History and Politics student Ladan Sheikh said: ‘We were moved to make Afro-Surrealism our theme as it functions as a medium to express the otherworldly aspects of the present reality faced by black individuals.’

‘In confronting racial inequality, biases, and prejudice, Afro-Surrealism goes beyond the visible and material, delving into the mystical and metaphorical realms. As D Scot Miller wrote in ‘The Afro-surreal Manifesto’ of 2009, “Afro-Surrealists distort reality for emotional impact. We want to feel something! We want to weep on impact!”‘

Confirmed events open to all, no booking required.

Sunday 22 October, 2:30pm-3:30pm

Winstanley Lecture Theatre

Lecture by Professor Hakim Adi, the first historian of African heritage to become a professor of history in Britain, whose book African and Caribbean People in Britain: A History (Allen Lane 2022) has been shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize 2023.

Tuesday 24 October, 1pm-8pm

Wren Cloisters

Exhibition by artist Hamed Maiye featuring visual and audio works of art.

Friday 27 October, 3:30pm-4:30pm

Adrian House Seminar Room

Q&A with playwright Sabrina Ali, author of the multiple award-winning play Dugsi Dayz, which played to rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023.

Saturday 28 October, 5:30-6:30pm

Winstanley Lecture Theatre

Conversations with actor David Jonsson, star of the critically acclaimed 2023 film Rye Lane, who currently plays Gus in the BBC2/HBO series Industry.

Keep up to date with Trinity’s Black History Month via @trinbhm on Instagram and College social media.